Toshiba NB100-12H – 3G HSPDA Netbook
Toshiba is adding a range of new laptops to its current selection just in time for spring. The NB100-12H is a new addition to their netbook series.
The Intel Atom N270 CPU included is one of the most popular processors around at the moment. To make sure it is taken seriously, the Toshiba NB100-12H also includes the Windows XP operating system, 1GB RAM and a 120GB hard drive. This model also features a 8.9inch LED lit screen with 1024 x 600 pixel resolution which comes as standard in the NB100 series. An Intel GMA 950 chip is also on hand to take care of the graphics.
The NB100-12H really comes into its own when used online however. Besides B and G standard wireless, the real star is the UMTS modem which supports HSDPA of up to 7.2 MB/s. Yup, slot a sim card in the back and surf wherever you go. It goes without saying that this model also features a LAN port. This laptop weighs in at just over 1kg, measures 22.5 x 19 x 3cm, and the battery should last nearly four hours (most probably less when UMTS is being used). The Toshiba NB100-12H is available already, and should cost around £370.
Asus EEE PC 1008HA Netbook – Super slim mac air like netbook
Asus EEE 1008HA Netbook
Its incredibly stylish and sexy and will come in at just £359 when its released. Which is a bargain compared to the Mac Air's £1200!
Some photos:
Asus 1008HA Netbook
Dell Adamo 9 Netbook on the way?
A smaller version of Dell’s swish Adamo designer laptop could be in the works, according to one of the firm’s own support documents.
Adamo was officially launched yesterday as a 13.4in laptop, but a screen grab of what’s said to be a Dell support utility for the PC giant's Wireless 5530 card has since emerged that mentions an “Adamo 9â€.
You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to work out that if “Adamo 9†is mentioned beside “Adamo 13â€, then there’s a pretty good chance that a 9in Adamo laptop is in the works.
Dell Adamo Netbook - 9\
HD Netbooks – High Def 1080p netbooks on the way with VIA
VIA's HD Netbook Processor
The device's integrated graphics processor is claimed to provide "smooth playback of high bitrate 1080p HD video." Via claims full support for Microsoft's VMR (video mixing renderer) and DirectX 9.0 technologies, plus hardware acceleration for H.264, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV9, and DivX video formats.
Richard Brown, VP of marketing for Via, said, "For the first time, system developers have an ultra low power media system processor that delivers high bit-rate HD video to small form factor and mobile devices. The Via VX855 opens up exciting opportunities for several PC segments, particularly the mini-notebook category that will now be able to offer true 1080p HD video playback."
According to Via, the VX855 supports Linux, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows CE. Pricing and availability of the new chip was not announced, however.
More here: http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/chipsets/v-series/vx855/
Google Netbook? A netbook featuring Android
The rumors are flying fast and furiously. Asus is said to be working on an inexpensive netbook running Google’s Android software for smart phones.
Other manufacturers are believed to be dipping their toes in the same water.
Well, Google came as close as possible to verifying the computing industry’s nascent love affair with Android on Wednesday at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference.
It will drive netbooks, said Alan Eustace, senior vice president of engineering and research. In fact, Hewlett-Packard is one such computer maker working with Android now, he said.
The company wants to build netbooks are very low prices, Eustace told investors during a late afternoon presentation.
Fueling the interest is the growing number of Android devices presently under development. “We have a healthy ecosystem in the sense that lots of devices are coming out,†he said, referring to the numerous smart phones expected this year.
New MEDION AKOYA E1210 – Aldi Netbook
A while back, we reviewed the Medion Akoya E1210 netbook and, since its based on the MSI Wind, its a very good netbook. Aldi, the discount retailer, have announced a revised specification for the E1210 netbook that is going on sale on Thursday 5th March. The netbook has been upgraded and now features:
- A 6 cell battery, for extended battery life
- A huge 160gb hard drive
- Faster Draft N Wireless, along with Bluetooth 2.0
This is a really good netbook, and we'd recommend it... particularly at the price of just £279.99 with a three year warranty. Bargain.
Check out the details via this flash presentation
Full email below
LG X120 Netbook revealed
LG X120 Netbook
LG has announced the launch of a new 3G netbook, the LG-X120 with a 10-inch backlit display.
Claiming that "easy connectivity" is the LG-X120's strongest asset the netbook offers 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi as well as HSPA connectivity.
Offering an Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor the X120 has a 160GB hard drive, 1GB RAM and runs Windows XP.
There's "Smart-On" functionality for a simple Smart-On screen to load in 5 seconds that offers access to the most frequently used applications.
The X120 also gets "Smart-Link" tech that means the netbook can connect to "regular" computers to share files or install new applications, as well as accessing data even from the computer’s CD or DVD drive.
Weighing in at 1.2kg, the X120 claims 3.5 hours for the 3-cell battery and 7 hours for the 6-cell battery.
Other specs include a 1.3-megapixel webcam, SRS WOW HD and TruSurround XT and a four in one memory card reader.
With a "soft textured" matt white finish the X120 offers either lime or pink detailing.
The LG-X120 will be available in March in Europe, no pricing revealed.
Windows 7 Netbook Edition
Microsoft is set to break the Linux grip on the netbook market by making the new Starter edition of Windows 7 much cheaper than XP Home Premium.
The company announced there will be six versions of Windows 7 earlier this week, although only five of those will be available in the UK.
Starter edition is the company's attempt to address the netbook market, which has so far largely ignored Windows Vista and opted for the less demanding and cheaper Windows XP, or pre-installed with Linux.
When asked in an exclusive interview with PC Pro whether the pricing for Starter edition will be "much keener" than for Windows 7 Home Premium, Microsoft's Windows product manager Laurence Purnell said: "I would suggest that's a safe assumption."
The company is yet to announce specific pricing for the various flavours of Windows 7.
Purnell said he expects the vast majority of netbooks to ship with Starter edition, but that manufacturers will have the option to install Home Premium on those devices.
"If you're buying a netbook it will be down to the OEM to decide whether they install Starter edition, in order to keep the goods down to the lowest price they can, or they can offer the best possible experience on netbooks, which is obviously Home Premium," he said.
One reason why manufacturers may decide to snub Starter edition is that it limits users to opening a maximum of three applications simultaneously. Starter also fails to offer multitouch support, making it inappropriate for tablet devices. Asus has already announced a Tablet Eee PC and others are expected to follow with low-cost touch devices.
Microsoft denies it's artificially crippling the feature set of Starter edition to allow it to charge extra for Home Premium.
"What we've tried to do is create a SKU line-up which satisfies consumers and partners," Purnell said. "They [netbooks] are very much designed as a companion device. So for instance, it's not the best experience to use Media Center on a netbook because you don't have the correct screen size. Moving to a larger form-factor laptop or desktop PC means you get the best possible experience for Media Center."
Story from PC Pro Magazine
New Atom Processor = High Def Netbooks
Intel has confirmed that it's shipping its new N280 Atom processor to PC makers, marking the dawn of netbooks capable of playing HD video.
The N280 is a single-core Atom running at 1.66GHz and is intended to replace the current 1.6GHz Atom N270.
Though the speed boost may sound negligible, the real improvement lies in the front side bus, which jumps from 533Mhz to 667MHz, and the new GN40 chipset which includes a hardware-based high-definition video decoder that allows users to watch 720p HD video content.
Despite this performance increase, Intel claims the package will draw the same power as its predecessor.
The new pairing is slated to make its debut in Asus's 1000HE, which the company claims can offer up to 9.5 hours of battery life. Pricing and availability have not been confirmed.
Originally conceived as tools for simple applications such as web browsing and tapping out documents, netbooks are increasingly moving closer to their laptop brethren with larger screen sizes and capabilities.
The next stage of this evolution is Nvidia's Ion platform. Ion offers full support for DirectX 10, PhysX, CUDA and even contains dedicated hardware for 1080p video playback.
Samsung NC20 Netbook now available
You can finally get your hands on Samsung's second-generation netbook, the NC20. The notable features here are the 1.3Ghz Via Nano processor, rather than the usual Intel Atom netbook processor and a slightly larger 12-inch screen - its less of a netbook more of a mini laptop if you ask us.
Aside from that, there's the usual set of features you can chant like a mantra - 1GB of memory, 160GB hard disk, Windows XP Home operating system, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 1.3 megapixel webcam and a card reader.
The initial machine will be available in white only from February 9th via DABS.com, with a black version following in March. Both sell for £390.98. A HSDPA-equipped netbook will also follow, priced at £416.63
